Vissier
A vissier is one who specializes in the study and use of visrite, sometimes colloquially referred to as wizards, mages, or conjurers. The title is a Zaljan term. Experts in the study of visrite can also be found in Yena and Yaalk, and the term is known there, but such experts are not called vissiers as regularly.
Although there are many kinds of academics in Zalja, vissiers enjoy the most status and state report, and virtually any scholar of any kind will at least consider trying their hand at the study of visrite at some point in their lives. It is a bold whim, since merely touching visrite can be dangerous or even deadly, and the inconsistent nature of this risk can lead many aspiring vissiers to handle the mineral without proper protection, leading to death or lifelong injury.
Vissiers are always in high demand. The highest concentration can be found in the Mystic City of Bariat Uur, which controls the western visrite mines, though a hefty population can be found at the Crystal Capitol of Tsen Ikha as well, where a healthy competition thrives on finding the most innovative uses for the mysterious mineral. There are of course plenty of vissiers to be found onsite at the visrite mines as well, though this is a far riskier practice and is generally left to unskilled practitioners, those of low birth or spoiled reputation, or apprentices hoping to discover some new derivation of the stone.
Career
Qualifications
Technically, anyone who can demonstrate a basic understanding of visrite's properties, derivations, and principles of use, might be called a vissier. In Zalja, however, the title is only seriously respected if granted by a quorum from either the Alhashmal Academy of Magical Arts in Bariat Uur or the Elguindi Academy in Tsen Ikha. The Great Academy of Yaalk does not specialize in the study of visrite, but anyone who demonstrated facility in the field and who could prove their credentials from the Great Academy would almost certainly be called a vissier in Zalja as well.
Career Progression
Those wishing to become students at either academy need only acquire the approval of a teacher in good standing at said academy. Of course, there are reputations and politics at play, so impressing one teacher may necessarily require impressing several others.
Students may be granted an apprenticeship at any time during their education, even on their first day. This requires the formal approval of two vissiers: one who provides an official recommendation, and the one taking on the apprentice. An apprenticeship effectively ends a student's general education, and thus many may put off their apprenticeship for several years.
The full status of vissier is granted by a quorum of eighteen vissiers, either teachers at the academy in question or vissiers in good standing. This vote typically follows a demonstration of the apprentice's ability and either the introduction of a new theory or interpretation of the mineral, or else a novel lecture or defense of an existing theory. The quorum must have at least twelve votes in favor for status to be granted.
Finally, the title of Grand Vissier may be granted to those established in the field who have made extraordinary contributions to the state or the study. Officially, this status is only granted by a High Quorum of thirty-six vissiers, taken in roughly equal counts from both academies. There have been a few instances, however, where the Khan has named someone a Grand Vissier without consulting anyone. In such cases, a High Quorum is often thrown together after the fact to legitimize this proclamation, though there have been instances where the academies (one or both) have publicly objected to such a declaration, leaving the individual's status in doubt for weeks or years, or even the rest of their life.
Payment & Reimbursement
Despite the fairly regimented education of vissiers, their employment and compensation enjoys fairly little support from the state. Recently entitled vissiers might gain employment at the visrite mines in the northwest and northeast corners of the Qhaganate, or might seek an academic position at one of the two academies. Beyond this, a vissier must seek out a wealthy patron to employ them in their studies, or else sell their knowledge (and any visrite they may have acquired in their studies, legally or otherwise) to whatever buyer can be found.
Other Benefits
Outside of the military, vissiers are the most respected, admired, and feared people to be found in all of Zalja, typically seen as holding higher status even than most religious officials. A wandering vissier could likely find shelter in virtually any village, and by and large it is incredibly easy to find employment, even if only short term, wherever they happen to be. Because of the many military applications of the study, even more bellicose citizens hold them in high regard.